Physical therapist taking a measurement of a client's wrist

Department of Physical Therapy News

The physical therapy department offers a doctorate of physical therapy degree designed to prepare students for entry into the profession. Students are prepared as generalists and then have an opportunity to explore orthopedic, pediatric, and geriatric specializations through clinical exposures and student research opportunities. Our curriculum provides a comprehensive background in the art and science of physical therapy and prepares graduates for state licensure examination eligibility.

Current Physical Therapy News

ballet dancers stretching out their legs upward
Campus News |

Like a perfect duet, physical therapy students to gain experience running a clinic while fine arts majors receive free services.

Students assess X-ray images in a dark room.
Campus News |

Physical therapy and radiography students collaborate to get a crystal-clear vision for better patient care.

Closeup on the prosthetic right leg of a man sitting on a folding chair
Research |

As more Americans live with limb loss, UNLV physical therapy research teams explore novel ways to smooth the path to rehabilitation and recovery after amputation.

Spring flowers
Campus News |

The students and faculty of UNLV are springing into headlines around the country.

Nikkita Crozier in suit jacket
People |

With the value of community impressed upon him at the School of Integrated Health Sciences, Nikkita Crozier builds career with U.S. Public Health Service.

A rear view of UNLV students, dressed in red caps and gowns, filtering into the Thomas & Mack Center with the stage in the background
Campus News |

An enduring UNLV end-of-semester tradition is to highlight exceptional students who embody the academic, research, and community impact of the graduating class.

Physical Therapy In The News

Yahoo!

The National Institute on Aging reports that more than one in four adults 65 and older fall annually. Fortunately, it’s an avoidable threat.

Guardian

The National Institute on Aging reports that more than one in four adults 65 and older fall annually. Fortunately, it’s an avoidable threat.

BuzzFeed

You’re probably familiar with many of the benefits of regular exercise when done properly. From building muscle to boosting your energy and even helping your brain function better, there’s no shortage of reasons to work up a sweat. But there’s another great benefit you might not think about as much: You could be improving your bone density through exercise, according to experts.

Huffington Post

You’re probably familiar with many of the benefits of regular exercise, when done properly. From building muscle to boosting your energy and even helping your brain function better, there’s no shortage of reasons to work up a sweat. But there’s another great benefit you might not think about as much: You could be improving your bone density through exercise, according to experts.

American Physical Therapy Association

Carmen Cooper-Oguz, PT, DPT, MBA, has traveled the world far and wide, and yet she's always returned to the Mississippi Delta — the only place she's ever wanted to live.

KSNV-TV: News 3

People with Down syndrome experience physical difficulties that can make it more challenging to live an active lifestyle. Researchers at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas CArdiovascular Research and Exercise Lab (CARE Lab) are attempting to assess how a lower heart rate, a feature of Down syndrome, can impact people’s ability to move and exercise.

Physical Therapy Experts

A physical therapist with expertise on knee, tissue, joint, and tendon conditions.
An expert in neuroplasticity and post-stroke rehabilitation.
An expert on pain modulation and rehabilitation, especially within the amputee population.
An expert in musculoskeletal biomechanics, sport and exercise science, and amputee rehabilitation.
An expert in physical therapy, rehabilitation epidemiology, and hospital mobility.
An expert in physical therapy and movement disorders, including Parkinson's.

Recent Physical Therapy Accomplishments

Graduate student Cyanea Davies has published her thesis: Lower extremity muscle activity during walking with blood flow restriction and body weight support. The publication appears in the latest issue of Biomechanics 2025, 5, 72 and includes co-authors Alina Swafford (Sports Innovation Institute), Keoni Kins (Physical Therapy…
Jessica Immonen (Dental) and Jason Ciccotelli (Physical Therapy) mentored fourth-year dental students Nathan Kent, David Patterson, Alyssa Luu and Samantha Pipkin in the production of a research article titled "Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis and Systemic Inflammation: A Cadaveric Study for Dental Insights." The student first author, Nathan…
Dr. Kai-Yu Ho and Dr. Lisa Taylor (Physical Therapy), along with UNLVPT alumna Dr. Katherine Joines, published the article, “Physical Therapy Management for Delayed Diagnosis of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: A Case Report," in Case Reports in Pediatrics. The publication highlights the challenges of early detection of developmental dysplasia…
Kara Radzak (Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences) provided an oral presented on "Cadets’ perspectives on cultural and programmatic changes to facilitate musculoskeletal injury help-seeking and reduce injury concealment in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps" at the 2025 Military Health System Research Symposium. Co-authors included Joshua…
Hiraku Nagahori (Interdisciplinary Health Sciences) and Kai-Yu Ho (Physical Therapy) published their article, "Patellar cartilage thickness relates to knee external rotation during squatting in individuals with and without patellofemoral pain—a pilot study" in Frontiers. This is the first study to explore how the thickness of kneecap…
UNLV's Department of Physical Therapy, housed within the School of Integrated Health Sciences, was ranked 46th in the country as part of the U.S. News & World Report's most recent rankings. The Department of Physical Therapy's 46th ranking, out of 264 programs, puts it among the top 18% of all physical therapy programs in the nation.